Lionel Messi: 'No he didn't...what have my eyes just witnessed' - Wilfried Zaha, Joey Barton and Gary Lineker react to Barcelona win

Praise pours in for two-goal hero during Barcelona's 3-0 win over Bayern Munich

Wednesday 06 May 2015 23:13

Lionel Messi has overtaken Diego Maradona as the best ever

Lionel Messi's masterclass in Barcelona's 3-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich drew acclaim from within football and beyond.

The Argentinian was at his brilliant best in the late stages, scoring two supreme goals including a second that electrified social media.

Here is a look at some of the immediate reaction to Messi's display on Twitter:

Patrick Kluivert (ex-Holland and Barcelona striker): "He really is from a different Planet #Messi even if u are supporting another team u have to admit this."

Joey Barton (QPR midfielder): "In any other era Cristano would be best of his generation. In the Messi-era everyone who has ever played is no.2. Maradona. Cruyff. Pele."

Charlie Austin (QPR striker): "Surely there is another word other than professional footballer for messi because he is on a different planet to the rest of us!!!!!!!!"

John Aldridge (former Liverpool striker): "Folks, it doesn't get much better than that MESSI MAGIC.Feel sorry for our Xabi Alonso though."

Gary Lineker (former England striker): "It's such a joy to watch Messi. The greatest!"

Alex Scott (England women defender): "No he didn't...what have my eyes just witnessed #Messi .....wow!!!!!"

Lionel Messi celebrates one of his two goals

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Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace winger): "O M G messi!!!"

Franco Baresi (former AC Milan defender): "#Messi fenomeno FCBarcelona"

Ross Barkley (Everton playmaker): "He's from a different planet. #Messi"

Kobe Bryant (NBA star): "#Messi #MagisterialMessi"

John Hartson (former Wales striker): "I'm watching a man play Football and he is simply Breathtaking!!!! What planet is Messi on."

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

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Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Pressured by Bayern front line in attempt to hurry passing game. Escaped when Lewandowski missed cross but had fairly little to do. 6/10

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Dani Alves

Played a key part in quarter-final win over PSG and went close to scoring but denied by Neuer. Booked for pulling back Lewandowski. 7

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Gerard Pique

Censured for taking out Lewandowski shortly before hosts went ahead. Kept position but not troubled as much as may have feared beforehand. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Javier Mascherano

Stationed in makeshift back role he has become accustomed to. Rushed and harried by German visitors but calm in control and in his decision-making. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Jordi Alba

Played his part both at back and going forward, never stopping running all night. Beaten by Müller early on. Forced Boateng to rush a clearance. 7

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Ivan Rakitic

Scored winner against Man City and was again the Croatian cog who kept the Catalans ticking over. Constantly probing and picking out team-mates. 8

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Sergio Busquets

Laid the groundwork to allow his more celebrated colleagues to shine further upfield. Strong in the tackle and careful in possession all night. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Andres Iniesta

Delightful ball over Bayern back line was not converted by Alves. Danced through German midfield on occasion. Brought down by Benatia. 7

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Lionel Messi

What else can be said? Smacked shot straight at Neuer but drove past German for first before impudent, glorious second. Set up the third for good measure. 9

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Luis Suarez

Has been in superb form and started with menacing intent. Went down easily early on in optimistic penalty shout before being denied by Neuer. 7

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Neymar

Denied within sight of the goal-line by desperate block from countryman Rafinha. Halted by onrushing Neuer before curling over. Wasteful with shots. 7

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Best off the bench: Xavi

Integral to Barça’s three Champions League triumphs of the last decade but reduced to bit part in what may be his final days at the Nou Camp. 6

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Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Manuel Neuer

World’s number one No 1 did not look like being beaten before final 15 minutes, denying Suarez, Alves, Messi and Neymar. And then it all fell apart. 7/10

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Rafinha

Formed part of experimental back line and struggled to keep check of home side’s runs. Made vital block as Neymar slid in but unable to prevent late goals. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Medhi Benatia

Caught playing offside as Suarez was allowed to race through alone and Guardiola’s risky formation was hastily altered. Booked for foul on Iniesta. 5

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Jerome Boateng

Touched Suarez over in area but with nowhere near enough intent to cede spot-kick. Made to look foolish – one of many – by Messi for hosts’ second. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Philipp Lahm

Had hands full with defensive duties as the Spanish club made the early running. Brought down Messi to halt one attack before the interval. 7

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Xabi Alonso

Former Liverpool man was first to enter the referee’s book. Linked up well with Lahm as he was booed by home crowd for his Real Madrid links. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Thiago Alcantara

Instrumental in last month’s thrashing of Porto and saw shot momentarily trouble Ter Stegen. Has work to do to match heights of Barça last night. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Struggled to influence proceedings as he enters twilight of career. Fortunate to stay on pitch after coming-together with Suarez. 5

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Juan Bernat

Diminutive Spaniard carelessly gave away possession to Messi to allow Argentine to open the scoring. Did not impress on return to his homeland. 5

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Robert Lewandowski

Lacked vital touch as ball was fired in to him underneath the Barça crossbar by Müller. Kept close to Alves after break to limit damage from left flank. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Thomas Muller

Worked forward line well and also dropped out to the wings to retrieve lost causes. Beat Alba to feed Lewandowski but lost at sea as Barça prevailed. 6

Barcelona 3 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings

Best off the bench: Mario Gotze

Entered fray after Barcelona went ahead in an attempt to provide more firepower but unable to achieve parity before Barcelona sealed victory.

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Guy Mowbray (BBC football commentator): "Going to watch that goal over & over again until I fall asleep. Then again at breakfast. Beautiful, genius, magical #Messi"

Piers Morgan (journalist): "I'd still rather have Cristiano in my team than Messi."

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